Chapter 11: The Student of Tang Bohu

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“When the Lantern Festival comes and the moon is nowhere to be seen, light a few lanterns to bring color to the world.”

With these words, Liu Yitiao deliberately tried to stump Huang Yi. This is one of the rare and famous couplets in Chinese history, and hardly anyone can match it. He did not believe that Huang Yi, a simple country teacher, could compose a suitable matching line in so short a time.

“Well…” Huang Yi pondered, finding that, on the surface, Liu Yitiao’s line wasn’t especially difficult, consisting of a single time, a scene, and an object. It was not complicated, only somewhat exaggerated, but to come up with a corresponding line—one that fits both in meaning and grandeur—was no easy task.

“Please, sir, enlighten me,” Liu Yitiao pressed him again.

At the critical moment, Huang Yi finally thought of a reply. “When the earth quakes, no sound is heard; stamp your feet twice to dust off the world. What do you think, Brother Liu?”

“‘When the Lantern Festival comes and the moon is nowhere to be seen, light a few lanterns to bring color to the world; when the earth quakes, no sound is heard; stamp your feet twice to dust off the world.’”

Liu Ertiao recited both lines aloud, then exclaimed, “The parallelism is flawless, and the spirit matches well—sir, you are truly brilliant!”

Huang Yi smiled and stroked his beard, exuding an air of effortless grace. In truth, he quietly wiped the cold sweat from his brow; had it not been for the young calf in the Liu family snorting just now, inspiring him to answer with a line about sound, old Huang would have embarrassed himself today.

“Sir, you are a great talent. Thank you for resolving my puzzle.” Liu Yitiao bowed respectfully to Huang Yi, for he truly respected teachers of real learning. “It’s cold outside. Please, sir, come rest inside.”

“Thank you, Elder Liu, thank you, Brother Liu.” Huang Yi returned the gesture and strode ahead.

Liu Ertiao followed behind his brother, whispering, “Brother, how did you come up with that couplet? Even sir had to think for a while. But did you really not know the matching line?”

Liu Yitiao glanced at him, surprised that this little rascal had seen through it.

He answered in a low voice, “Of course I had a matching line. Listen: ‘When the Awakening of Insects comes and thunder is unheard, beat the drum a few times to proclaim the might of heaven and earth.’”

“‘When the Lantern Festival comes and the moon is nowhere to be seen, light a few lanterns to bring color to the world; when the Awakening of Insects comes and thunder is unheard, beat the drum a few times to proclaim the might of heaven and earth.’” Liu Ertiao gave his brother a big thumbs up. “Brother, your matching line is even better than the teacher’s. I admire you!”

Liu Yitiao chuckled softly. He noticed that Huang Yi, striding ahead, paused ever so slightly—he must have heard Liu Ertiao’s recitation.

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“Please, Master Huang, have a seat!” Old Liu greeted him warmly. “Ertiao, quickly fetch the brazier from the inner room for Master Huang to warm himself. And tell your mother to prepare a few extra dishes—Master Huang must stay for a few more drinks at midday.”

“No need for such trouble,” Huang Yi waved his hands. “There’s no need, Elder Liu. I’ll only sit for a moment before returning. Several teachers are waiting for me at the private school, and I cannot delay.”

Old Liu looked disappointed. “If that’s so, sir’s business must take priority. I shouldn’t keep you. Please, do as you wish.”

Liu Yitiao said, “May I ask, sir, what brings you here today? Did Ertiao cause some trouble at the school?”

As he spoke, Liu Yitiao shot Ertiao a sharp look.

“Not at all. Ertiao is naturally clever and well-behaved, much liked by all the teachers at the school. How could he cause any trouble?” Huang Yi defended Ertiao. “I mainly came to meet you, Brother Liu. For someone who can compose such a fine line as ‘two fists clasped, five fingers—two short and three long,’ I simply had to pay my respects.”

“Sir flatters me. I am but a farmer; tilling the land is my true calling, and I’m unworthy of such praise.” Though he said this, Liu Yitiao felt secretly pleased. A farmer who’s never attended school, yet can compose couplets—there’s likely been none like him for centuries.

“Brother Liu is too modest,” Huang Yi said. “I am fortunate to have come today; otherwise, I might have missed such a magnificent couplet as ‘when the Lantern Festival comes and the moon is nowhere to be seen, light a few lanterns to bring color to the world.’”

“It is much more admirable that you, sir, could compose the matching line in a moment. ‘When the earth quakes, no sound is heard; stamp your feet twice to dust off the world.’ Sir, you have such breadth of mind and spirit!”

The two began to flatter each other idly.

Yet for a farmer and a teacher to praise each other and discuss literature like this was quite a spectacle.

After a while, Huang Yi glanced at the sky and, claiming urgent business, rose to take his leave.

The three Liu men accompanied him all the way to the gate.

Once Huang Yi was gone, Old Liu and Ertiao cornered Liu Yitiao against a wall and pressed him sternly, “Yitiao, tell us the truth. What’s going on? When did you learn to read and write? Who taught you the art of composing couplets? And how did you learn to treat cattle?”

From the moment Huang Yi arrived, Liu Yitiao knew the truth could not be concealed; it was time to give them an explanation.

“I once apprenticed myself to a teacher,” he was forced to fabricate a mentor. “Everything I know, he taught me.”

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“Who was this master? Is he still taking students?” Ertiao’s eyes shone with eagerness.

“My mentor was surnamed Tang, with the given name Yin, courtesy name Bohu, from Queli in Suzhou. He passed away three years ago. If you wish to study under him, you’ll have to seek him in the afterlife.”

“Tang Bohu? Never heard of him. But if he could teach a student as capable as you, he must have been a great scholar. What a pity I’ll never meet him,” Ertiao sighed.

“Yes, Master Tang was learned and well-traveled. I only studied with him for two years,” Liu Yitiao sighed as well.

Old Liu said, “It is a good thing that a master was willing to take you as a student and teach you. Why did you never tell the family?”

“That was Master Tang’s wish. He didn’t want others to know I was his student—said I was too slow-witted, and if word got out, it would tarnish his reputation as a scholar. He couldn’t bear such disgrace,” Liu Yitiao replied with feigned grievance.

“Uh…”

Old Liu and Ertiao both stood dumbfounded, not expecting such an answer.

No wonder Liu Yitiao didn’t want anyone to know he was literate—so that was the reason.

Geniuses—they always act in ways that defy comprehension. Clearly, Master Tang Bohu was such a man.

Seeing Liu Yitiao’s troubled expression, Old Liu comforted him, “It’s not that you’re too dull, it’s that Master Tang set his standards too high. If you are to be considered slow-witted, then Ertiao must be a fool indeed.”

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